Motivations for Running in Men: A Comparative Analysis of Local Runners and Sports Tourists

Abstract The aim of the study is to to examine the motivations for participating in a half-marathon among two groups of runners, local running in their place of residence and sports tourists, and to evaluate the differences between them. With the increase in the popularity of ‘running tourism’ the question becomes important as it encourages runners to engage in physical activity outside their everyday place of residence. Freyer and Gross’s (2002) four types of motivation for participation in sports events was the basis for the development of the author’s questionnaire. The empirical research (sample size=346) then recognized these motives for participation. The article also presents a review of the literature on such motivations in mass running events. Results indicate that both group of respondents, residents of the place where the half-marathon was organised and sports tourists, have different forms of motivation. The greatest relevance for sports tourists turned out to be motivation for sensation-seeking but for local runners it was the result, and this confirms that sports tourists travel generally in search for strong emotions and sensations.